We have a hyundai elantra with a speeker box that takes up 90% of the trunk. We have fit our boston, our pug, our 7 year old daughter, our 3 year old daughter, Myself, hubby, my 21 year old brother and 10 bags of grocerys in there with out a single bag on my lap (i cant stand stuff in my lap when im in a car).

I think our biggest load was 8 adults, a tent, 3 sleeping bags, and a ton of flashlights.

I'm gonna trade this life for fortune and fame I'd even cut my hair and change my name

We have a hyundai elantra with a speeker box that takes up 90% of the trunk. We have fit our boston, our pug, our 7 year old daughter, our 3 year old daughter, Myself, hubby, my 21 year old brother and 10 bags of grocerys in there with out a single bag on my lap (i cant stand stuff in my lap when im in a car).

I think our biggest load was 8 adults, a tent, 3 sleeping bags, and a ton of flashlights.

I'm gonna trade this life for fortune and fame I'd even cut my hair and change my name

For what it's worth, we rented a Toyota Matrix and drove it 1500+ miles, on a road trip from IL to NY and back. Mileage IS impressive, what we saved on gas versus the CRV paid for renting it. But that's about all it has going for it.... Small, not comfortable, dash looks cheap, and lots of road noise.

Have you looked at the Honda Element? About the same price as an Accord. It's so ugly, it's fun. We test-drove one in 2003. It was OK. Regardless you probably won't go wrong with a Honda.

After I managed to get past the butt-ugly appearance, I nixed the Honda Element based on the door arrangement. It has 4 doors, but you have to open a front door in order to open a back one. Not good if you really want 4 doors...

I just can't do the minivan thing...it's not a ego issue....it's just a phobia i have!!! I just can't move past it!! :S

I really like the Honda Pilot. Haven't check on the gas mileage thing yet though but i'm leaning towards a test drive.

The guy that's buying my car from me is coming by tomorrow hopefully to get the car so maybe i can go this weekend and look at a new one.

I don't really like Subarus(sp) b/c a friend of mine had one and it was a bucket full of problems. One right after the other. Not a big Toyota fan either, just don't like the style. I am more on the Nissan, Honda, GMC, Chevy, Ford side of the road. (broad range, i know!!)

We've got a Pilot. MPG has usually been in the low to mid 20's for us -- I think it has the best mpg for its class. It's worked well for us -- and is almost paid for! Despite the legendary Honda quality, it has had more problems than any other car we have had (we bought extended warranty and it paid off!) Hopefully they have worked out most issues with subsequent model years. Note: If the kids are small, get the running boards.

I'd say definately go with the Honda if gas mileage is your main issue. But honestly the accord not much bigger than a civic. I guess four doors is a huge difference but its not like there is a whole extra row or storage area.

But if its room maybe think of one of the smaller cross overs or an explorer or one of the smaller Mazda suvs.

I just got an explorer and it sucks the gas down-I could probably make a whole nother car payment a month as much as a drive! But I love it and it fits all the dogs and everything else I have to haul around.

I almost bought a speed three but I hate the look of the hatch and it can't hold the dogs so I went with the explorer-but I will probably get one eventually,they are fun to drive even though the 350 zs winning me over at the moment. the speed six is great to but I wouldn't want to put my dogs in it.

My moms Toyota is great on gas-better than any Honda we have ever had-but its horrible to drive. Its like a toy. For someone just wanting to get to point a to b it would be great but I like to drive something a little funner(though I admit my fun right now is only a spec v).

If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons -James Thurber